Purcellville, VA—A homeschooling family who recently fled Germany has filed for political asylum in the United States. “The persecution of homeschoolers in Germany has dramatically intensified,” said HSLDA Staff Attorney Michael P. Donnelly. “They are regularly fined thousands of dollars, sent to prison, or have the custody of their children taken away simply because they choose to home educate.”

Uwe and Hannelore Romeike, formerly of Bissingen, Germany, along with their five children, made it to the United States in August of this year. The family has settled in Eastern Tennessee where they have been warmly welcomed by local homeschool supporters and are being assisted by HSLDA.

Uwe Romeike, a music teacher, and his wife Hannelore, are grateful for the support they have received from HSLDA and American homeschoolers.

“The freedom we have to homeschool our children in Tennessee is wonderful. We don’t have to worry about looking over our shoulder anymore wondering when the youth welfare officials will come or how much money we have to pay in fines,” said Mrs. Romeike.

“We have received so much love and support,” said Mr. Romeike. “Our children are no longer homesick. They are so happy to be homeschooled here. We left family members, our home, and a wonderful community in Germany, but the well-being of our children made it necessary.”

“By supporting a political asylum application, we will be able to shine the light of truth on this real and ongoing problem. A successful application will provide a path to safety for German homeschool families escaping persecution,” said Donnelly.

HSLDA, with support from the Alliance Defense Fund, has hired immigration attorney Will Humble of Houston, Texas to handle this groundbreaking case.

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a 25-year-old, 85,000 member non-profit organization and the preeminent national association advocating the legal right of parents to homeschool their children.